Windermere Places to Visit

Come rain or shine we recommend you visit these great places during your stay. They certainly come into our list of top 10 places to visit in the Lake District.

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is located in Bowness village a short walk from our Bowness b+b. Discover Peter Rabbit, Mrs Tiggy-winkle and Jemima Puddle-Duck at the magical indoor recreation of Beatrix Potter‘s little books. You will see life size recreations of scenes. Learn more about the story of Beatrix Potter’s life. See the lovely displays of how the Lakeland Farm Hill Top inspired some of Beatrix Potter’s best illustrations. Visit the outdoor Peter Rabbit Garden, shop and tearoom to complete your visit.

A great way to see the lake and take in those breathtaking views is to take a cruise with Windermere Lake Cruises. Elegant lake cruisers depart from Bowness pier, a short walk from our bed and breakfast accommodation, to the pretty village of Ambleside (at the northern end of the lake) or Lakeside (at the southern end of the lake). At Lakeside you can visit the Aquarium of the Lakes and ride on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway.

For steam buffs its well worth taking a nostalgic journey on a steam locomotive of The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. This historic branch line is situated in the Leven Valley at the southern end of Windermere Lake. The line runs between Lakeside and Haverthwaite where you can be transported to a bygone era when visiting Haverthwaite station. The station has a restaurant, gift shop, picnic area and engine shed. Walk around the engine shed to see the wonderful collection of steam and diesel locomotives.

Lakes Aquarium – Whilst visiting Lakeside discover a secret world at the Lakes Aquarium. Go through the underwater tunnel and watch Pike and diving Ducks swim. See Sharks and Rays from the British coast. Aw at the cutest Marmoset Monkeys and Clown Fish. Explore the nooks and crannies of the rockpool and watch the Otters explore, swim and play. With daily talks, bags of fun and don’t forget to meet the creatures its worth a visit.

Holehird Gardens – The Home of The Lakeland Horticultural Society is a short drive from our Lake District Guest House. The gardens are reputed to be among the finest in England and are unique in being maintained entirely by volunteers.

Wray Castle – Take a walk or cycle ride along the western shores of Windermere and visit one of Cumbria’s most unusual buildings Wray Castle. Wray Castle is a folly built on a grand scale in 1840 for a retired surgeon James Dawson. Its also where Beatrix Potter stayed on her first visit to the Lake District.

Brockhole – The Lake District Visitor Centre – can be reached by boat, bus or by car from our bed and breakfast accommodation. Visit the shop, cafe, gardens and Treetop Trek. There are walks and picnic areas leading down to the shores of Lake Windermere.

Beatrix Potters Hilltop 17th century home at Near Sawrey. This is where Beatrix Potter wrote many of her famous children’s stories. From our Lake District Guest House take the Cross Lakes Shuttle boat from Bowness Bay to Ferry House and catch the Mountain Goat bus to Hilltop. Visit the web-site to check opening times.

For lovers of Arts & Crafts there is Blackwell The Arts & Crafts House which is only a short 5 minutes drive from our Guest House. Blackwell is the home of fine examples of arts & crafts architecture in a beautiful setting with gardens by the Arts & Crafts designer, Thomas Mawson overlooking Windermere Lake and the Coniston fells beyond. With a lovely tea room and contemporary gift shop its well worth a visit.